Combustion body which produces a multi-colored flame

ABSTRACT

A cylindrically shaped combustion body of several metals or compounds like alkaline, metal or copper, which when burned produce multi-colored flames without a wick or liquid contents, and holds the flame in a stable position. As the cylindrically shape combustion body burns up, a spring mechanism pushes it upward through a tube, and a claw-like restraining device at the top of the tube keeps the combustion body from emerging out of the tube. Thus, the tip of the combustion body is held just above the rim of the tube, and the flame remains in a constant position, even as the combustion body burns shorter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a wickless cylindrically shaped combustionbody which contains alkaline metal, alkaline earth metal, and copper,which when burned produce multi-colored flames.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

It is known in the prior art to present a combustion body or candlehaving a metallic compound mixed with wax such that when the candleburns a vivid colored light is emitted. Typically, lithium or copper canbe used with the wax to produce this effect. These candles can be placedon a table or the like. A problem arose, however, in that the candleburned too fast. The entire top face of the candle would burn and in ashort time the desirable effect from its unusual light was finished.This problem is common to wickless combustion bodies or candles. Thepresent invention teaches a means to burn a cylindrically shapedwickless combustion body including the metallic compound, which presentsthe flame reaction, from the top slowly downward. As a result, a vividcolor flame by the flame reaction can keep emitting light for tens ofminutes, and can be used as a decorated source of light.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has a combustion control ring that has a claw-likerestraining device that expands internally in the top part of thecombustion body. The flame in the combustion body is prevented fromspreading sideways.

The purpose of this invention is to avoid a scattering of the flame. Thecombustion of the flame is held at a constant position.

This invention has accomplished the above-mentioned purpose by beingequipped with three claw-like restraining devices attached to the edgeof the tube of the combustion equipment, and installing a spring thatexpands and contracts in tube. Even if the combustion body shortens, thecombustion body is always pushed upward on the device by the springinstalled in the bottom, and can burn with the claw-like restrainingdevice in the top of the device while always staying in the top of thetube.

The cylinder shape combustion body can be burnt to the last minute withthe tube in hand, and if the tube is fixed in a stand, the coloringflame will keep burning in a constant position. Burning ash is preventedfrom dispersing by installing an ash receiver on the upper side part ofthe tube. Heat in the upper part of the tube can also be dissipated bythe ash receiver. To burn the combustion body by the methodabove-mentioned, it is necessary to insert the combustion body in thetube with the top part of the combustion body stopped with the claw-likerestraining device in the upper part of the tube and the bottom of thecombustion body pushed with a spring. Therefore, it should have thestructure that either the claw-like restraining device or the spring ofthe tube can be detached. The former is a structure to compose the tubeof a main body and detachable cap, and to install claw-like restrainingdevice in the cap. Alternatively, the base can be made detachable.

The structure at the present invention makes burning possible whenholding the apparatus or at a high position on a table by lengtheningthe tube, and installing the spring base in the middle part. Moreover,when the tube is not long, the spring base can be installed in thebottom of the tube. When the tube is installed on a stand, the uppersurface of the stand can be used as the spring base. In this case, thetube is prevented from coming off the stand to the surface by a slot andprojection in the tube.

The cap and stand are attached to the tube by using a slot on the tubeand corresponding projections on the cap or base which engage the slotsin the tube. Rotation of the cap or stand hold those components on thetube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the apparatus of the present inventionshowing a detachable cap and base.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the tube of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present inventionhaving the spring base midway in the tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the figures, especially FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferredembodiment of the invention can be described. FIG. 1 shows acylindrically shaped combustion body 1 which comprises metalliccompounds pressed together with wax, and possibly other solid fuel. Themetallic compounds may vary depending on the color of the flame desired.For example, copper sulfate produces a green flame; sodium nitrateproduces a red colored flame; and potassium iodate yields a purplecolored flame. The combustion body 1 or candle is disposed in a tube 2which serves as a holder. A spring 3 is provided, which is a coil springhaving a free length longer than tube 2 and placed between thecombustion body 2 and a spring base 4. The spring base 4 is made ofmetal and has flanges 10 at each end. A guide pin 11 is located at thecenter of spring base 4. A stand 5 is provided which is preferablyceramic and the stand 5 is fixed by any suitable means to the bottom ofspring base 4.

Tube 2 has three restraining devices, generally designated as 7 on itstop end. These restraining devices 7 or prongs are claw-like and willprevent the combustion body 1 from projecting significantly from thetube 2 when the entire apparatus is in use. The prongs 7 are tilted atan angle extending upwardly from the top of tube 2. An ash receiver 8 ismounted toward the top end of tube 2, and is designed to receive some ofthe residue from the combustion of combustion body 1. An oval shapedbase 9 on tube 2 is provided. The base 9 having two oval projectionsgenerally designated as 12.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, combustion body 1 and spring 3 willbe inserted into tube 2 from the bottom and the guide pin 11 placedthrough the bottom of spring 3. The oval base 9 will be pushed againstspring base 4 with the oval projections 12 extending therefrom. Whenspring base 4 is rotated 90 degrees, oval projections 12 will be held byflanges 10, thereby attaching spring base 4 to the bottom of tube 2. Thestand 5 can then be attached to the spring base with double backed tape,for example. In this arrangement, the top part of the combustion body 1is held just slightly above the rim of the tube 2 by the claw-likeprongs 7. When the top of the combustion body 1 is lit, colored flame isproduced depending on the metallic compound pressed with the wax of thecombustion body. Only the very top part of the combustion body 1 burnsdue to the restraining nature of prongs 7. As combustion body 1 burns,some ash generated therefrom will fall into ash receiver 8. Even thoughthe combustion body 1 is continually shortening due to combustion, itcontinues burning, being pressed upwardly by the spring 3 against theprongs 7.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 3and 4. In this embodiment, the spring 3 is inserted from the upper endof tube 2 along with the combustion body 1. Splinters 16 bent inwardlyfrom the bottom of tube 14 serve as a receiver for spring 3. The top ofthe tube 14 has three L-shaped slots, generally designated as 20, spacedequidistantly around the circumference of the tube 14. A cap 15 isprovided having prongs 7 as in the previously described embodiment, butalso having projections 17 which are adapted to be disposed in theL-shaped slots of tube 14. A slight rotation of cap 15 will “lock” thecap 15 in place on top of tube 14.

In the above-mentioned example of the second embodiment, the cap 15 isremoved and the spring 5 and the combustion body 1 are inserted in thetube 14, and the combustion body 1 is pushed down into the tube 14 bythe cap 15. The cap 15 is connected with the main body by inserting theprojections 17 of the cap 15 in L-shaped slots 20 and then rotated.Because the cap 15 is pushed up by the expansion power of the spring 3,the projections 17 will be fixed in slots 20. Thus, the cap 5 will notbe pushed off. The tube 14 can be held by hand or placed on the stand 5.The tip of the combustion body 1 located just above the rim of the tube14 can be ignited. In the alternative embodiment, the stand 5 has asupport pipe 19 and flat disc 18 welded together. The tube 14 can beplaced inside pipe 19 for support.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment in which the main body of tube 2 islengthened, and the spring base 5 can be fixed in the middle of the tube2. In this example, splinters 16 are bent internally as also shown inFIG. 4, but the splinters 16 are placed in the middle of tube 2. Thereference numeral 21 represents a point on tube 2 at which splinters 16can be placed.

1. Apparatus for producing a multi-colored flame comprising, a) acombustion body containing compounds which yield a multi-colored flamewhen burned; b) a tube for receiving said combustion body, said tubehaving a restraining device at its top end for restraining saidcombustion body; c) a spring disposed in said tube, said springcontacting said combustion body and urging said combustion body againstsaid restraining device of said tube; d) a base that supports said tubeand said spring disposed in said tube.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 whichincludes a plate attached to said base.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1wherein said tube includes a detachable top portion.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1 which includes a bowl mounted on said tube for catching ash fromsaid combustion body.